slang

[K99]

I'm a primary school teacher and I am also a geordie. How come when I'm at work I speak correctly/politely... Pronounce my words correctly never use slang or swear. When I'm with partner, family and friends my language is completely different. I turn into a fully blown geordie my slang is terrible I swear a lot I do sometimes think that after I've said something slang or really geordie that it sounds horrible. I have tried to talk properly away from work but it never lasts I soon forget. So how come as soon as I enter work I automatically change?

[jno]

it's called register, as I recall; we adapt our speech to our circumstances. You adapt yours to schoolchildren (thank goodness). If you imagined all the adults you spoke to as your pupils you might speak posher; but it wouldn't be 'natural' with them as it is with kids.

[Quizmonster]

It's a bit like driving. For years I worked in the Middle East, where one drives on the right, and came home on leave three times a year to the UK, where one drives on the left. The change-over was automatic - I'm not talking about my gear-box! - and I never even once had to think about what I was doing on arrival at either airport's car-park.
Similarly, having been born and bred in the north of Scotland, I speak Doric when I'm there and 'standard' English - albeit with a Scottish accent - when I'm here (Southern England).
Also, having spent decades in military service, I was perfectly used to effing and blinding at work, yet I never uttered any such word when teaching in later life.

'Horses for courses', as they say, so be happy to go on as you are, K.

[rojash]

Lucky you, QM. I visit the UK once a year, and I get so confused that I'm now to frightened to drive when I'm there!

[Xollob]

Don't worry K99, everyone's at it. All the time.
Good introduction to linguistic register on Wikipedia.
You are not alone!

[PrincessK]

Yes I am in agreeance with Jno. Humans have an instinctual ability to adapt to any circumstances. (Though others are more in tune with this ability than others! heha) And this is what you are experiencng. Whether it be dealing with language or a life or death situation. We are somehow guided to either "Do something or say something" because we know instinctually what we must do. (whether we have learned this through teachings, or just following our "gut instinct") To delve into this phenomenon, Phsycologically you could come up with some fabulous theories, :) hmmm......

[Mr.Tamzarian]

Way aye bonnie lass! Ar ye gannin? You should be teaching the children proper English like as how we speaks!

[gingerflaps]

I'm exactly the same k99. but its with different members of my family. When i am with my mum's side of the family (the side that i have lived with when mum n dad split when i was 4) i am myself my language is terrible and i act like a loon, where-as when i am with my dad's side of the family, i am more resrved and polite, and i never swear, i think its because thats what my dad's side is like, my dad never swore in front of me as a child, where-as my mum did. I also always try to impress my dad without even knowing i do it. Im the same in front of my partners family and new people. but if someone is 'common' then i am the same, i automatically change into what best suits the person i am with, but i dont even know i do it, my partner tells me i have different personalities.